Journey Blevins (11) and Cambria Skaggs (14) watch a ball fall to the floor after blocking a Kenton Ridge hit. Blevins led the team with seven blocks during the 3-0 sweep. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Lady Cats claim 11th straight win
The North Union volleyball team has been on a roll, winning 11 straight matches since its only loss (to Jonathan Alder) of the season back on Aug. 27.
The Lady Cats’ latest victim, Kenton Ridge, fell in a quick three sets (25-17, 25-15, 25-20) Tuesday night to keep the Cats’ streak alive.
North Union coach Alexis Maenz said she expected a tough challenge during the Central Buckeye Conference cross-over contest, so she put a solid plan in place to battle the Cougars.
“Knowing Kenton Ridge was going to potentially be a challenge for us, we had a game plan in place,” she said. “I think the girls did a great job of executing the plan and getting into the spots we wanted to.
“That opened things up for us in the long run.”
NU opened its first set with solid attacks from a variety of angles on the front line. That put Cougar blockers on their heels and allowed NU to grab a 21-15 lead.
Maenz said her setter, Jordyn Hoffman, did a solid job of putting the ball in the right spot for her hitters.
“It was more about placing the ball to the outside and hitting it well to stay aggressive,” she said. “It opened doors for our outside hitters and I think that helped us stay balanced.”
The attack helped NU to pick up a set one win and allowed them to run out to a 9-1 lead in set two.
Hoffman served the ball well.
NU’s outside hitters continued to hit the ball well, while Cambria Skaggs, Grace Brandt and Journey Blevins clogged the middle with their blocks.
North Union climbed to an 18-9 margin on the way to the set win.
Maenz said the team’s attitude has helped continue with its winning ways.
“I think the girls’ attitudes coming everyday to practice is what I contribute to their success,” she said. “They come in and want to work hard.”
Set three was a back-and-forth battle.
Blevins’ kill against KR’s front row gave NU a 14-10 edge and the momentum it needed.
Regan Martino continued to have a solid game on the Cats’ 23rd point with a solid cross-court hit from the outside.
Brandt helped with a tip over the net to take the Lady Cats to 24-19 on their way to the sweep.
With the Cats’ cross-over games behind them they will now move on to their second round of the CBC’s Mad River Division.
Maenz said her team will have to stay vigilant to get past teams a second time.
“We are probably circled on a lot of people’s calendars, because we are a target,” she said. “That comes a lot of pressure.”
The Lady Cats are now 12-1 and will return to action Thursday at Urbana.